[ Her thanks was a relieved, uttered breath, carrying her own weight still even as he was there to support her. It had to be obvious that she wasn't in the best of shape with the way she leaned to the side. She got the hint quick that small talk had no real place here, and she was sorely tempted to let him have it, a good earful of everything that felt wrong since they last saw one another.

No small talk was fine by her, the thought of trying to pretend that nothing was wrong exhausted her. ]

Only a few days now. If you're looking for honesty— I'm barely sleeping. Hard to tell apart day from night.

It's why I came here; I was hoping this place had any sleeping pills to offer.

[ Elena hoped he would tell her she looked like crap. It would make her smile, maybe even laugh. Or maybe not, it would hurt. They couldn't win. ]

Just one.

[ God, give her something. ]