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Choice.
I nod once.
That’s enough.
My room is quiet.
Minimal.
Everything in its place.
No clutter.
No distractions.
Control.
But when she steps inside, something shifts.
Like the space recalibrates around her.
Less sharp.
More… real.
She moves slowly, taking it in without saying anything, her awareness still running, still tracking exits, positioning, angles.
Even now.
Even here.
“You can stand down,” I tell her.
Her eyes flick to mine.
“I don’t do that easily.”
“I know.”
A beat.
“But you can here.”
Silence.
She doesn’t argue.
Doesn’t agree either.
Just… adjusts.
A fraction.
That’s enough for me.
I grab a clean shirt from the drawer and hold it out to her.
“It’ll be more comfortable.”
