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"Well, here it is." Rook spread their arms as they led Lucanis into the meditation room. "Home sweet home, I suppose."
Lucanis looked around the small, dim room. His eyes slid past the simple furniture and trinkets on the shelves, straight to the room's most prominent feature: the large window at the front of the room.
"That's ah—uh—an interesting window," he said. "A lot of water."
Behind the window was an undersea view. Fish swimming, sea grasses waving, a sandy floor, the whole thing. Lucanis supposed he shouldn't be surprised by anything in the Lighthouse anymore, but it wasn't so much surprise he felt. Hollowness filled his chest. His vision narrowed to just the bluish light and the endless water. It was hard to breath.
Rook crossed to the couch in front of the window. "Definitely takes some getting used to," they said. "But I can usually sleep through the night even with all the light now, so…"
Rook turned then. They must have noticed Lucanis' stillnes. His eyes remained fixed on the wall of water. Pressing in. Keeping him there. Inescapable and endless. The same view day after day—
"Lucanis? Lucanis?"
He started. Rook stood before him, gripping his upper arm and waving their hand in front of his face.
"I'm sorry," Rook said, with uncharacteristic seriousness. "It's the water, isn't it? I didn't think about… We can go somewhere else if you want."
Lucanis blinked. He shook his head.
"No, it's all right." He glanced back at the wall of water. "I can deal with it."
Rook squeezed his hand, gazing up at him with furrowed brow. Like they were trying to figure out if he was telling the truth.
"Really, it is fine." He smiled faintly. "I'll feel safer with you."
Rook offered a cautious smile of their own. They gripped his hand and led him to the couch.
"It scared me a bit too when I first got here." Their voice was soft, like they were sharing a secret. "You know I can't swim. So, it'll be nice to have company."
Lucanis squeezed their hand tightly in return.