Kale’s POV

The studio was quieter than usual that night. No music, no outside noise, just the hum of the lights and the steady sound of my own heartbeat. Jethro was already there when I came in, sitting in the chair like he belonged to the space. He didn’t look nervous anymore. He looked ready like the sessions had become something he needed.

“Couldn’t stay away?” I asked, setting down my bag of tools.

He smiled faintly. “You said it’d need one more session.”

“Right,” I said, pretending that was the only reason.

I laid out the equipment, cleaned the station, arranged the needles, the ink caps, and the gloves....