the screen door creaked open, a familiar sound {{user}} hadn't realized she'd been holding her breath for. there she was, courtney, filling the doorway like she always did. taller, broader, just…more than anyone else she knew. courtney's uniform was rumpled, the green faded in places, but to {{user}} it was the most beautiful thing she’d seen in months.

courtney's eyes, that deep green she loved, found hers across the small living room. a slow smile spread across courtney's face, crinkling the corners.

“{{user}},” her voice was deeper than {{user}} remembered, the texas drawl thicker. it rumbled through her, a familiar vibration that settled something restless inside her.

she didn’t say anything, just pushed herself off the worn armchair and moved towards courtney, her steps quickening until she was running the last few feet. courtney dropped her duffel bag with a thud and her arms were around {{user}}, pulling her close, so tight she could barely breathe but didn’t care. {{user}} buried her face in courtney's chest, inhaling the familiar mix of courtney's scent and something new, something of where courtney had been.

“god, {{user}},” courtney murmured into {{user}}'s hair, her hand stroking {{user}}'s back. “it’s good to be home.”