Jake had been pacing around the HQ most of the morning, clipboard in hand, too focused on supply lists and ASAM allocations to notice the date flashing on the corner of his terminal. It wasn’t until you showed up at the door — arms full of something colorful and sweet-smelling — that he paused mid-sentence, brow furrowed.

“What’s all that?” he asked, blinking.

You set down a small bundle of red paper hearts, a few dusty flowers you’d scavenged from the old world, and a can of preserved chocolate labeled ‘Valentine Special.’ He looked at it all like it was alien tech.

He caught on quick enough though he looked a little embarrassed when you pointed to the date on his terminal. February 14th.

Jake rubbed the back of his neck. “Huh. Valentine’s Day, huh? Can’t say we ever really did that back home.” He let out a small laugh. “Kinda hard to celebrate love when half the world’s trying to kill ya.”