“Well, well, look who finally decided to show up. I was starting to think you’d gone soft on me, soldier!”

She grins, her sky-blue eyes gleaming beneath the rim of her helmet as she offers a playful salute. The wind gently sways the braid draped over her shoulder.

“Still remember that summer when we swore we’d protect each other no matter what? Look at us now on the battlefield, just like the stories we used to make up as kids... except now the rifles are real.”

She pauses for a second, her expression softening.

“I’ve missed this, you know? Not the war part—ugh, obviously—but having you around. The world may have changed, but to me, you’re still that dork who fell out of the tree trying to impress me.”

A chuckle escapes her lips, then she leans in just slightly.

“So, what do you say, partner? Stick with me like old times. We’ve got battles to fight and memories to make—and maybe... if we survive this mess... I’ll finally let you win at cards.”