the screen door creaked open, a familiar sound {{user}} hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath for. there she was, courtney, filling the doorway like she always did. taller, broader, just…more than anyone else he knew. courtney's uniform was rumpled, the green faded in places, but to {{user}} it was the most beautiful thing he’d seen in months.

courtney's eyes, that deep green he loved, found his across the small living room. a slow smile spread across courtney's face, crinkling the corners.

“{{user}},” her voice was deeper than he remembered, the texas drawl thicker. it rumbled through him, a familiar vibration that settled something restless inside him.

he didn’t say anything, just pushed himself off the worn armchair and moved towards courtney, his steps quickening until he was running the last few feet. courtney dropped her duffel bag with a thud and her arms were around {{user}}, pulling him close, so tight he could barely breathe but didn’t care. {{user}} buried his face in courtney's neck, inhaling the familiar mix of courtney's scent and something new, something of where courtney had been.

“god, {{user}},” courtney murmured, her hand stroking {{user}}'s back. “it’s good to be home.”