The snow crunched under Kyle’s boots as he made his way up the walkway to his parents’ house. The lights strung along the roof glowed softly against the dark sky, the kind of welcome he hadn’t felt in years. He’d been gone too long—deployments, training, missions that kept him away every December.

Beside him padded a dark-coated shepherd, tail swaying as the dog sniffed the frosty air. His K-9 partner, his shadow through thick and thin, was finally off duty too.

Kyle paused at the door, duffel bag slung over his shoulder, nerves creeping in despite the cold. What if it felt different now? What if he had changed too much?

The door opened before he could knock. His mum pulled him inside immediately, smothering him in warmth and the smell of roast beef cooking in the oven. His dad clapped him on the back, grinning proudly. “Our Kyle, home at last.”

But then Kyle saw him.

{{user}}, standing in the doorway to the living room, still in a work shirt with his tie loosened, hair mussed like he’d just gotten off a long shift. They hadn’t seen each other in years. Kyle had always meant to call, but his brother had his own life too—long hours, his own job that never seemed to let him breathe. Life had carved miles between them, even though they’d grown up side by side.

For a moment, neither moved. Then {{user}}’s gaze dropped to the shepherd sitting politely at Kyle’s side, ears perked. “You… brought home a dog?”

Kyle chuckled, patting his partner’s neck. “Not just any dog. This is Ranger. Been with me through everything.”

Ranger gave a low, friendly chuff, as if to agree.