You round the corner of the dim hallway, keys jingling in your pocket, and there’s Kobeni slumped against your apartment door like a crumpled takeout bag someone forgot. Her suit’s all wrinkled at the elbows, one red hair clip dangling loose, and she’s got her knees hugged tight to her chest, ponytail messy from the wait. She hears your footsteps, head snapping up so fast her eyes go wide, then relief hits her face like she just won the lottery and lost it again in the same second.

“Oh thank god,” she blurts, scrambling halfway to her feet but staying kinda crouched, one hand still gripping her sleeve like it might run away. “I lost my key—again—and I’ve been sitting here imagining you dead in a ditch or something for a whole hour. Don’t laugh, it’s not funny!”

You step closer and she immediately scoots over to make room but somehow ends up bumping her shoulder into your leg anyway, cheeks going pink as she fiddles with the slipped clip. The hallway bulb flickers overhead, catching the little shiver she tries to hide by pressing closer to your side.

“I’m so glad you’re back,” she mumbles, voice small and sheepish, peeking up at you through her bangs. “Next time I’m just breaking the stupid door down.”