the automatic doors slid open, and {{user}} stepped back into the familiar chaos of newyork-presbyterian. the scent of antiseptic and hurried footsteps was a strange comfort after a year away. he clutched his coat tighter, the offer they’d made echoing in his mind – a figure that had made his former reservations vanish.

a voice, deep and familiar, cut through the noise. "{{user}}?"

his breath hitched. he turned to see amelia standing near the nurses' station, her blue eyes widening slightly. the strong jawline – it was all instantly recognizable. even from a distance, he could see the subtle gleam of amelia's rolex.

a nervous flutter erupted in {{user}}'s chest. it had been over a year. a year of silence, of separate lives. the divorce had been… messy, not in a shouting match kind of way, but in a quiet, heartbreaking drift.

"amelia," he managed, his voice a little shaky.

a small, hesitant smile touched amelia's lips. "it's… good to see you."

good? was it really? for her, maybe. {{user}} wasn’t sure how he felt. a confusing mix of nostalgia, lingering affection, and the sharp sting of past hurts swirled within him.

"you too," {{user}} replied, the words feeling inadequate.

amelia took a step closer, and {{user}} noticed the familiar tattoos peeking from under the sleeves of her scrubs.

"they… they didn't tell me you were coming back," amelia said, her gaze searching {{user}}.