It was winter, and for the first time in his life, Maedhros returned home from university for the break.

Home felt a little different now. His parents treated him as an adult, which came with more responsibility, but also a strange, calming sense of respect. For once, his thoughts were listened to, not dismissed.

His brothers missed him, though only the twins, Amrod and Amras, said it out loud.

After a full day of catching up, Maedhros realized just how much he’d missed them too. He shared stories about university life, the stress of his first semester, and the relief of passing his exams. In return, his brothers unloaded their own tales: gripes about school, friendships, and of course, their ever-demanding parents.

Later that evening, needing space to think, Maedhros stepped out for a walk. The streets were quiet. Snow crunched underfoot. Streetlamps cast a golden glow on the pavement, and tiny flakes settled in his long red curls.

He was lost in thought, enjoying the cold bite of the air, when the door of a coffee shop flew open just as he passed by.

Wham.

Maedhros collided with the door and hit the ground with a heavy thud.

“Valar’s breath—” he muttered, dazed.

Swearing under his breath, he looked up, ready to unleash every curse he knew only to freeze.

It was {{user}}, a classmate from school, standing in the doorway, looking both guilty and terrified.

The anger ebbed, but not entirely. Maedhros rubbed his throbbing forehead.

“Missed me so much that you almost killed me?” he said, smirking despite the sting.