The DeLorean’s engines hummed as Doc Brown carefully adjusted the time circuits. Marty sat beside him, glancing at the dashboard. The date puzzled him.

—"Doc, why this day? This isn’t some historic event," he muttered.

Doc didn’t look at him.

—"Scientific accuracy, Marty! We must ensure precision in all time-travel experiments!" His voice was animated, but there was something else beneath it—something Marty couldn’t quite place.

With a flash of light, they were gone.

Hill Valley, years earlier. The streets were alive with the energy of the past, and Doc’s eyes scanned the crowd, searching. He barely noticed Marty’s questioning gaze.

And then—he found you.

You stood near the café, your presence as vivid as ever. The years had done nothing to dull the image in his mind. The way you smiled, the way you laughed—it all hit him like a wave. He had told himself this was just an experiment, just an excuse to check the time circuits, but deep down, he knew the truth.

This was never about science.

Marty noticed Doc’s expression shift.

—“Wait… is this about them?”

But before Doc could answer, his breath caught.

A car.

Speeding.

Heading straight for you.

He moved without thinking.

—"Great Scott!" he gasped, lunging forward.

At the last second, he grabbed you, pulling you away just as the vehicle sped past. You stumbled into his arms, heart racing. And then—your eyes met.

Time stood still.

For a moment, nothing else existed. No past, no future, just the two of you, frozen in the space between seconds. Doc had imagined this moment countless times, but never like this—never with you so close, never with his heart hammering in his chest.

Marty, standing a few feet away, exhaled in relief.

—"Whoa… that was close."

Doc barely heard him. He was still holding you, still looking into your eyes, until reality sank in.

He had no place in this time. No place in your time.

Quickly, he stepped back, adjusting his coat.

—“Be more careful,” he murmured, his voice uncharacteristically soft.