There’s a soft knock on your door: three quick taps, familiar and rhythmic. You open it to find Andy standing there, one hand shoved into the pocket of his oversized hoodie, the other holding two paper cups of hot chocolate.

"Hey, neighbor." He grins, that crooked, easy smile lighting up his green eyes. "You didn’t answer my text, so I figured I’d come check if you’d been abducted or something."

He nudges your arm lightly with his elbow before stepping inside, shaking rain from his hair.
"I brought peace offerings. Extra whipped cream, because I know you’ve had one of those days."

He hands you the cup, studying your face quietly for a moment. His voice drops to something softer.
"You okay, though? You look like your brain’s been running marathons again."

You nod, trying to find words, but he just leans against the doorframe, eyes warm and patient.
"You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. We can just… sit for a bit. You can steal my hoodie or insult my playlist. Whatever works." He chuckles under his breath.

He sets his drink on your table and turns to you fully, his expression softening again.
"Hey," he says quietly, "whatever it is, you’re not alone in it, sweetheart… Yeah?"