Morning came grey and precise.
Ethan woke to the sound of Gabriel already moving through the apartment the low click of the kettle, the soft drag of a drawer, the particular quiet efficiency that meant the day had been accepted and was now being organised.
For a moment Ethan lay still, staring at the ceiling, letting the weight of the previous afternoon settle back across his chest.
Then he got up.
In the kitchen Gabriel handed him coffee without comment.
They drank it standing at the counter, shoulders nearly touching, both already dressed for the kind of day that required clean lines and steady voices.
"Counsel at nine," Gabriel said. "I've asked them to clear the morning. Claire is bringing the full physical archive. Marcus will join for the technical section."
Ethan nodded. "Dad texted. He wants to sit in."
Gabriel considered that for a second. "All right. He knows how to stay quiet when it matters."
