“Didn’t think I’d see you here.”

Daeron’s voice is quieter than you remember, like he’s careful with it now. He’s standing just a few feet away, glass in hand, looking at you like he’s trying to measure how much of the past still lives between you.

“It’s been a while… hasn’t it?”

A pause. His jaw tightens slightly.

“You look—” he stops, exhales, then tries again. “You look like you’re doing well.”

But he doesn’t look away.