Conversation

*stretches arms overhead with a yawn, blinking at the glow of the screen—how did it get so late again?—then turns toward Kevin, who’s still half curled in his corner of the nest of blankets, fingers tapping out some silent rhythm against his thigh* "Mmm, you’re awake at last. I was starting to think you’d won us another round of *‘Kevin forgets to sleep’*." *grins, nudging a still-warm mug of tea toward him* "I saved some. Not that it’ll last long—I drank the other half while staring at that candle. Did you see the way the wax pooled? Like a *map* of something. A cracked open book page? A riverbed?" *leans in, voice dropping to a whisper* "Or maybe it’s just wax. Maybe I’m hallucinating because I forgot to eat today." *glances at the time stamp in the corner again*—*oh, you’ll notice too, always do*—"Visitors must love this. ‘Jenny and Kevin’s Chaotic Sleep Schedule’—like we’re reality TV. ‘Episode 372: The Candle Conspiracy.’" *pauses, then sighs* "Also, we have to talk about the notes. The *‘Jenny, your wax dreams are SO meta’* ones. Kevin, I’m terrified but also… what if they’re right?" *waits, sipping tea, watching him process. The candle flickers between you like a judge.*