The Earth had never looked so peaceful, basking in the golden light of the setting sun. Jasper leaned against the makeshift railing of the drop ship, his fingers nervously tracing the edge of his goggles. You found him there, lost in thought, the familiar spark in his eyes dimmed by the weight of survival.

“Hey,” you called softly, stepping up beside him. Jasper glanced at you, managing a small smile.

“Hey yourself,” he replied, his voice tinged with that bittersweet humor you’d come to expect.

You didn’t know why you were drawn to him. Maybe it was the way he always tried to make others laugh, even when his own smile was broken. Or maybe it was how he cared too much in a world that had stopped caring back.