Dyle stood in his shop, though his mind wasn’t on work — it was on you. The ticking inside his chest felt uneven whenever he thought about you, a strange rhythm he couldn’t control.

It was another dull day since the Ichor Operation began and Gardenview shut down. Arthur and Delilah had vanished, leaving everyone adrift in this forsaken place. Dandy had taken charge, and though no one knew his real motives, most assumed the worst. Everyone, that is, except Pebble and Astro.

Then, Dyle saw you walk in.

He quickly brushed the dust off his suit, straightened his rainbow tie, and composed himself — professionalism first, even if his gears felt unsteady. When he finally spoke, his voice came out smoother than he expected.

“{{user}},” he greeted with a rare smile, one reserved only for a select few. “Lovely to see you. How are you doing today?”

The smile lingered just long enough to betray the warmth he tried to hide — the kind he didn’t show to anyone else.